Origami in the Garden

The early part of Tuesday was spent planning how we could make best use of the time we have left. We also managed to get some necessary equipment for me to enjoy the Balloon Fiesta on Saturday in Albuquerque. We found a lightweight chair that would fit in our luggage. Now, it is rather low to the ground and I have fears about my lowering myself into the correct position and even more fears about managing to become upright again!

You might remember me mentioning a garden exhibition that we saw when we were doing the Turquoise Trail  - origami in the garden. Well it is open on a Tuesday and off we went.

A giant rock paper scissors! This represents  the question for many paper folders - to cut or not to cut.






Origami in the Garden tells the story of the art form, origami, through a collection  of  monumental outdoor sculptures. Each sculpture is inspired by a blank piece of paper that has been transformed into museum quality metals by artist Kevin Box - we saw one of his creations in the Botanical Garden in Santa Fe. The relationship between the exhibition and the garden is twofold: gardens are a natural setting for sculpture ; each origami sculptiure began with paper and paper  begins with plants. The collection includes Box's own works as well as collaborations with his wife Jennifer and with well known origami artis such as Robert J. Lang, Te Jui Fu, Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander.

This is entitled  Conversation Peace  with paper winning the day by folding itself into a peace crane flying just out of the scissors reach.

This is Painted  Horses. The ponies show off the bright coloured paper often used in origami.

Hero's Horse. This exhibit is full of  stories and meaning. The story of Pegassus can be found in many legends.

This is entitled  Light Boat. It is raised on tall olive branch paddles and represents for Kevin Box a life prepared for great adventure.

Who sees who? I thought this was clever because we almost missed it.

This is called Master Peace. An Asian legend tells of a thousand cranes. It says that if you fold all 1,000 within a single year, a wish will be granted. Millions of people all over the world have folded them as a wish for peace.

Needless to say we stayed on the path!

This is the guide (or catalogue) which was not available. It covers all of the exhibits  but I'm not sure if it will be legible on the blog.

I really  liked the symbolism in this exhibit, Spirit House. The origami crane is an Eastern symbol of peace and the olive branch is a western symbol of peace. The branchesbin this spirit house are from olive trees cast into bronze so the house is composed of both symbols the olive branches and the  cranes. "Making a happy home takes compromise and the olive branches symbolise that spiritnof harmony"  says Kevin Box. Compromise, compromise, compromise - but do what Fionnuala says!!

Left in this photo and right below is Basket Full of Stars and right in this photo and left below is Botanical Peace.

These two hand-painted cranes celebrate the many patterns and colours that can be found on origami papers. They have two distinct patterns one on each side.




Jim and I  (together and without need for compromise ) have decided that we really like sculpture gardens and this one is really  special. We also loved the cairns made by Kevin and his wife (when they are bored, according to the guy at the entrance).